ROME - an innovative, user-friendly app lets users discover a vibrant, alternative side to the Italian capital, away from the classic postcard images.

Indie Guideswas launched February 2015 and the Rome edition, authored by Giacomo Cuva, is the eighth in the series. With a layout which is clear as well as aesthetically pleasing, the app looks past the Colosseum, the Vatican and other tourist hubs in order to show its users where to find best of the lively, present-day culture that the city has to offer. Company founders Anne Le Gal and Gary Monginod describe the concept behind their creation: “[to provide] a selection of iconic places overflowing with creativity, places launched by passionate people and on the margin of mainstream: squats, small live music venues, undisclosed tiny restaurants and artists’ workshops-cum-boutiques that you won’t find in your standard guides.”

However, it is not only Indie Rome’s content that makes it unique, as the app also includes an offline map with geolocation, direct access to a playlist to help the user discover the local music scene (note that this does require internet access) and the option to view only locations currently open. Other useful features are the ability to search for attractions according to their distance from the user’s current location as well as the option to search for a specific type of venue, such as a restaurant or bar.

Although this app alone is perhaps insufficient for a first trip to the Eternal City, when visitors are likely to be interested in at least some of the capital’s most famous attractions, it certainly provides an invaluable insight into the side of Rome not often mentioned in guidebooks.

Available in English and French, Indie Rome costs 1,99 euros and is available on the App Store and Google Play.